The Jack and Jill of America Foundation helps children prepare for the world through mentorship and training. The organization, founded in 1938 to support Black families, has chapters across the United States. The National Harbor Chapter, started in October 2010, is hosting the Sparkle Walk for Heart Health 5K event with the American Heart Association 9 a.m. on March 28 at the National Harbor in Prince George’s County.
Organizers, anticipating 200-300 participants, continue to spread the word about the walk to other organizations and people in the community. “We look at our mothers, our fathers, and our children,” said Tomeka C. Bumbry, president of the Jack and Jill National Harbor Chapter, “then we reach out to the broader community. We hope to really build upon goals that we set for ourselves in the last three years.”
The walk, or run depending on the participant’s preference, will begin at the National Harbor, 165 Waterfront St., Oxon Hill, Md. Bumbry said the starting line is where Sunday evening Movie Night takes place. The course continues onto the walk-path to the Woodrow Wilson Bridge and then back to the starting point. “We’re going to have an exercise program leading to the event,” she said. “We usually have a Zumba instructor or somebody who comes out and really gets us powered up and excited to get our walk for the day.”
You can register for the event at the event venue on March 28. The day opens at 8:00 a.m. to give everyone time to register and prepared to start. The exercise part of the day is from 9 a.m. – Noon. Because this is a family event, Bumbry said, all ages are welcome. The price for registration varies depending on the age of the participant. However, up to $25 is the standard cost. You can also register in advance, online, at www.active.com, then search for National Harbor 5K.
In addition to working with the American Heart Association on this event, sponsors, according to event co-chair Kelly Burks include, Epstein Becker and Green, Management Solutions Consulting Group, Ron Blount State Farm Insurance Agency, Maryland Optometric Association/Central Maryland Optometric Society, Shorter Solutions Consulting Group, Special Eyecare, and McGuire Woods LLP.
For more information about the walk or the National Harbor chapter of Jack and Jill of America, visit their Facebook page: National Harbor Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, INC.